Begumpet flyover, a danger zone

Conrad Desai was riding back home when his bike went into a deep rut on the Begumpet flyover. He fell on the road, sustained head injuries and died in the hospital. Conrad was not the only one to meet his end at the Begumpet flyover. Twenty two-year-old Suraj Bharadwaj’s bike skid on the rut on the road and he died on the spot.

In fact, ever since the Begumpet stretch has been revamped, it has spelt nothing but danger to commuters. In the past few weeks, there has been an alarming number of accidents on this flyover. One of the busiest connecting roads in the city, this flyover is fast becoming a death trap.

To cover up the shoddy job, GHMC hastily re-laid the tar. It has only been a few weeks, but the tar has started eroding all over again leaving behind deep, dangerous ruts that expose the metal foundation.

Even as lives are being lost, GHMC officials are busy spouting technicalities to justify the problem, yet no action is being taken. Pandu Ranga Rao, engineering chief, GHMC, says, “The two bridges were not supposed to have structural contact and hence a gap of one inch was provided between the two. The tar is wearing off along this gap. It is a peculiar problem. We have requested the consultant company to furnish new designs and we will rectify the problem permanently.”

While commuters wait for the GHMC to take action, multiple problems keep cropping up on this stretch. There is a isolated divider that juts out of nowhere that has caused many unsuspecting vehicles to ram into it. Md. Azhar Ahmed, a resident of Sikh Village says, “My cousin almost drove into the undistinguishable stretch of the old divider that is not yet dismantled. He had a miraculous escape. I even saw a car bang the divider and overturn.

Even though these accidents have become a common affair, GHMC officials are far from moved. They are busy playing the blame game. “The flyover is weak,” admits Krishna Babu, special commissioner, GHMC. “That portion of the flyover needs to be strengthened from below. And since it belongs to the railways, they have to take the initiative. Till something is done by them, we cannot demolish this part of the old divider which is supporting it.”

The number of accidents on this stretch is increasing by the day, but GHMC seems to be in no mood to take action. They are still caught up in planning meetings and waiting for proposals to be approved.

“We will have a meeting with the general manager of SCR soon and after they do their bit, the divider will be removed,” says Krishna Babu.